September 14 2007
New Young Pony Club — Fantastic Playroom
posted by Steven Shaw at 8:00 am
New Young Pony Club Fantastic Playroom
New Young Pony Club are a five piece indie/electronica band from London, fast rising behind touring pals The Klaxons and CSS as the next big thing in the new rave scene.
Although strongly influenced by the house punk qualities of LCD Soundsystem, New Young Pony Club are equally fond of melody, their pop sensibility making them a unique dance floor proposition. Vocalist/guitarist Tahita Bulmer and guitarist Andy Spence are chief songwriters, with drummer Sarah Jones, bassist Igor Volk and keyboardist Lou Hayter.
The group are enjoying a great boost in profile on the back of their debut album Fantastic Playroom, winning listeners and live audiences over with their infectious grooves, funky beats and strong pop current. And they’re all really good looking.
Opening track “Get Lucky” highlights their basic synth, indie drums and guitar sound and the laidback, almost disinterested vocals of Bulmer. Seductive is too obvious a description for her vocal style but her use of metaphors and the coolly aloof delivery gives the songs that mood (and, well, has that effect), in a Deborah Harry sort of way.
The first single and biggest radio hit to date, “Ice Cream” (recognisable from Intel television adverts), with its minimalist synth, bass and drums with lashings of guitar ,features Bulmer talking dirty, her words bouncing on top of the beat telling us confidently, “I can give you what you want”.
Second single “The Bomb” has an appropriately pounding bassline steering things over top of the synth and drums combo. The chorus line “Ah oh, don’t speak cos your mind is amazing” is almost a time warp back to the 80s synth and vocal style of Bananarama.
Not a bad thing at all, in fact Bulmer’s vocals constantly reference the past and present throughout the album and is a big part of the groups appeal. “Talking Talking” could have Karen O singing “I don’t wanna, I don’t wanna talk about it” while “F.A.N” draws comparisons to various Madonna tracks.
Unfortunately “Tight Fit” the last track, is my least favourite, a cheesy Moloko-like intrusion on an otherwise smart and innovative dance-rock record. A ray of light in a scene I was beginning to suspect was a black hole. Wonder if they’ll play the Big Day Out…
- David Skipwith
Video: “Ice Cream” — New Young Pony Club